How to Convert a Problem Lineage to Another Format

Conversion bridges Problem Traversal Theory (PTT) and the outside world. By transforming a validated problem lineage into familiar formats—like Problem Statements or User Stories—you can communicate your analysis to others while preserving the essential context of why the problem matters and how it might be solved.

Problem Statement

  1. Validate the Ancestor Problems in the Problem Lineage.
  2. Remove any desires that feel weak or redundant from the Problem Lineage.
  3. Write a Problem Statement using this formula: [Initial problem] because [ancestor problem's current state]. To solve this, [descendant potential problem without desire phrasing].

Problem Statement from a Problem Lineage Example


Problem Statement:

Sally wants John's car to be properly maintained because her family finds it hard to arrive at important places on time. To solve this, John could create a car maintenance schedule.

From this Problem Lineage:
  • Sally wants her family to find it easy to arrive at important places on time.
    How could Sally's family find it easy to arrive at important places on time? Answer is the descendant problem below.
    • Sally wants John's car to run smoothly.
Why does Sally want John’s car to run smoothly? Answer is the ancestor problem above.How could John’s car run smoothly? Answer is the descendant problem below.
  • Sally wants John's car to be properly maintained.
    Why does Sally want John’s car to be properly maintained? Answer is the ancestor problem above.
    How could John’s car be properly maintained? Answer is the descendant problem below.
    • John could want to create a car maintenance schedule.
      Why could John want to create a car maintenance schedule? Answer is the ancestor problem above.
Icon Reference:
  • = Ancestor Problem
  • = Question
  • = Initially Identified Problem
  • = Potential Descendant Problem

User Story

  1. Validate the Ancestor Problems in the Problem Lineage.
  2. Remove any desires that feel weak or redundant from the Problem Lineage.
  3. Write a User Story using this formula: As [sentient entity], I want [thing] [potential state], so that [ancestor problem's desired state].

User Story from a Problem Lineage Example


User Story:

As Sally, I want John's car to be properly maintained, so that my family can easily arrive at important places on time.

From this Problem Lineage:
  • Sally wants her family to find it easy to arrive at important places on time.
How could Sally's family find it easy to arrive at important places on time? Answer is the descendant problem below.
  • Sally wants John's car to run smoothly.
    Why does Sally want John's car to run smoothly? Answer is the ancestor problem above.
    How could John's car run smoothly? Answer is the descendant problem below.
    • Sally wants John's car to be properly maintained.
      Why does Sally want John's car to be properly maintained? Answer is the ancestor problem above.
Icon Reference:
  • = Ancestor Problem
  • = Question
  • = Initially Identified Problem

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